Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A dripper unit 100 adaptable to a supply pipe P, the dripper unit 100 comprising:
a main body 110 extending from a first end 110A to a second end 110B and having a front side and a back side, the front side adaptable to an inner wall of the supply pipe P and the back side exposed to fluid flowing through the supply pipe P;
an inlet region 120 provided adjacent to the first end of the main body 110A, the inlet region 120 having at least one opening 122 extending from the front side to the back side allowing fluid flowing through the supply pipe P to be transferred to the front side;
an outlet region 130 provided adjacent to the second end of the front side of the main body 110B, the outlet region 130 in communication with an aperture 132 on the supply pipe P; and
plurality of non-linear pathways F1, F2 on the front side of the main body 110 each pathway interconnecting/extending between the inlet region 120 and the outlet region 130 for transferring/carrying fluid from the inlet region 120 to the outlet region 130, whereby the fluid flowing through the two pathways F1, F2 converge into the outlet region 130 causing the fluid to flow out of the aperture 132 at a high discharge rate.

2. The dripper unit 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each non-linear pathway F1, F2 has a top wall 10 comprising plurality of spaced apart teeth 12, and an opposing bottom wall 20 comprising plurality of spaced apart teeth 22, the teeth of the top wall 10 and the bottom wall 20 are non-aligned forming a zigzag path for the fluid to flow.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a dripper unit adaptable to a supply pipe for use in drip irrigation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Techniques for irrigation include surface irrigation techniques, or flood irrigation techniques wherein a field is completely flooded with water, or through drip irrigation. Drip irrigation delivers water mixed with nutrients or fertilizers to crops in a more precise and controlled manner, and is more efficient compared to other irrigation techniques.
[003] Drip irrigation systems typically comprise of a supply pipe which is laid across a field, and dripper units are installed along the supply pipe. The dripper units control the flow rate of water being discharged, thereby reducing water wastage. The dripper units are placed inside the supply pipe in such a way that top surface of the dripper is attached to inner surface of the pipe and an aperture is provided on the supply pipe which is in communication with the dripper unit for discharging water. Each such dripper unit provides a continuous passage for transferring water from the supply pipe to surrounding environment/fields.
[004] Generally, the source of water is an external power source such as a pump to supply water at required pressure. In certain cases, a water tank is installed at a height to maintain adequate pressure in the supply pipe to discharge the water over a length of the supply pipe through the dripper units.
[005] However, in areas where electricity is not available or if available, un-reliable, it is very difficult to move with such systems. Further, pumps have high operating cost owing to use of continuous running of pump.
[006] In view of the above, there is a need for a dripper unit which addresses at-least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] Accordingly, the present invention in one aspect provides a dripper unit adaptable to a supply pipe, the dripper unit comprises a main body extending from a first end to a second end and having a front side and a back side, the front side adaptable to the inner wall of the supply pipe and the back side exposed to fluid flowing through the supply pipe; an inlet region provided adjacent to the first end of the main body,the inlet region having at least one opening extending from the front side to the back side allowing fluid flowing through the supply pipe to be transferred to the front side; an outlet region provided adjacent to the second end of the front side of the main body, the outlet region in communication with an aperture on the supply pipe; and plurality of non-linear pathways on the front side of the main body, each pathway interconnecting/extending between the inlet region and the outlet region for transferring/carrying fluid from the inlet region to the outlet region, whereby the fluid flowing through the two pathways converge into the outlet region causing the fluid to flow out of the aperture at a high discharge rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a front-side of a dripper unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a back-side of the dripper unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows an outer-surface of a supply pipe to which the dripper unit is adapted in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows an inner-surface of the supply pipe in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[009] The present invention is directed towards a dripper unit adaptable to a supply pipe for discharging fluid. The dripper unit is designed to discharge fluid at a high discharge rate even when pressure of the fluid at source is low.
[010] Figures 1 and 2 shows a dripper unit 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The dripper unit 100 comprises of a main body 110, an inlet region 120, an outlet region 130, and plurality of pathways F1, F2.
[011] As shown in the figures, the main body 110 extends from a first end 110A to a second end 110B and has a front side and a back side. Plurality of such dripper units are positioned along inner surface of a supply pipe, and each dripper unit provides a continuous passage for transferring fluid from the supply pipe to surrounding environment/fields where the supply pipe is installed/placed/deployed. Fluid flowing through the supply pipe is basically water mixed with nutrients or fertilizers.
[012] Figure 3 and 4 show a schematic representation of a supply pipe P to which the dripper unit 100 is adapted. As can be seen in figure 4, the front side of the dripper unit 100 is adapted to the supply pipe P, and the backside thus remains exposed to the fluid flowing through the supply pipe P.
[013] The inlet region 120 is provided adjacent to the first end 110A of the main body 110, and has at least one opening 122 extending from the front side to the back side. As shown, the inlet region 120 includes plurality of parallel openings 122. However, the number of openings 122 may be varied. The openings 122 allow fluid flowing through the supply pipe P to be transferred from the back side onto the front side of the dripper unit.
[014] The outlet region 130 is provided adjacent to the second end 110B on the front side of the main body 110. Figure 4 shown outer surface of the supply pipe P with an aperture 132 formed on the supply pipe P. The dripper unit 100 is adapted to the supply pipe P such that the outlet region 130 of the dripper unit 100 is in communication with the aperture 132 formed on the supply pipe P so as to allow the fluid to discharge from the supply pipe P.
[015] As shown in figure 1, the two pathways F1, F2 are provided at the front side of the main body 110 which extend between the inlet region 120 and outlet region 130. The two pathways F1, F2 transfer/carries the fluid from the inlet region 120 to the outlet region 130. Accordingly, the fluid transfer to the outlet region 130 is through two pathways F1, F2 whereby the fluid flowing through the two pathways F1, F2 converges into the outlet region 130 which causes the fluid to flow out of the aperture 132 at a high discharge rate. In this regard, the two pathways F1, F2 enables the dripper unit 100 to discharge water at a high discharge rate even if pressure of fluid at source is low.
[016] In an embodiment of the invention, each pathway F1, F2 is a non-linear pathway. Each non-linear pathway F1, F2 has a top wall 10 comprising plurality of spaced apart teeth 12 protruding from the top wall 10, and an opposing bottom wall 20 comprising plurality of spaced apart teeth 22 protruding from the bottom wall 20, wherein the teeth of the top wall 10 and the bottom wall 20 are non-aligned such that a zigzag path is formed. Thus, the fluid flows through in a zigzag manner from the inlet region 120 to the outlet region 130 which further improves the discharge rate, which is useful especially when pressure at source is low. As per an embodiment, each of the top wall 10 and the bottom wall 20 has at-least nine teeth, and each such tooth has a triangular profile. Further, each wall has a height such that depth of each pathway is at-least 0.7 mm. The gap between the teeth of the top wall 10 and the bottom wall 20 is within the range of 0.09 to 0.12 mm. While such parameters have been specified hereinbefore, the parameters may be varied as per requirement.
[017] Advantageously, the dripper unit discharges water at a high discharge rate even when pressure of the fluid at source is low. Further the dripper unit provides high discharge rate without any external power source, and thus obviates the disadvantages associated with external power sources.
[018] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.